STEVE McManaman has rung Steve Bruce to assure him that he should not worry about his link to Carson Yeung.

STEVE McManaman has rung Steve Bruce to assure him that he should not worry about his link to Carson Yeung.

The former England international made his move after the Birmingham Mail revealed Blues' and Bruce's growing concerns about his involvement in the proposed takeover by the Hong Kong businessman.

Co-owner David Sullivan admitted the board did not know what McManaman's exact role was.

And after McManaman provided a list of potential new signings for Yeung to put to the board before the transfer window shut, and then on television defended the Yeung's refusal to agree to the manager's new contract, Bruce's suspicions naturally arose.

McManaman was appointed a director of Yeung's takeover vehicle Grandtop International to provide prestige, football know-how and contacts.

When specifically questioned about McManaman the last time he spoke publicly in August, Yeung insisted he was not being groomed for a director of football or coaching role at St Andrew's.